Phoenix student signs with Oral Roberts University

Destiny Teel recently signed a letter of intent to Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla.

Teel, a senior at John C. Birdlebough High School in Phoenix, will attend the school and participate on the track team.

Teel, a standout in the pole vault for Birdlebough’s indoor and outdoor track seasons, also runs sprints and hurdles.

Born in Tulsa, Okla., Teel is excited to go “back home.” An excellent student as well as an exceptional athlete, Teel has also been nominated for the university’s Quest Whole Person Scholarship.

She will interview with the selection committee this month to find out whether she will receive a scholarship of up to $20,000 per year to the prestigious university.

The scholarship program recognizes students who demonstrate the following: Christian world view, lifestyle of service, academic achievement, leadership ability, vision to make a life-changing impact on others and a healthy lifestyle.

While at Oral Roberts, Teel plans to major in biology.

Andy Lewis, who was her track coach for three years, called Teel, “a good kid who has come a long ways, especially in pole vault. She did a lot of extra work above and beyond to better herself,” he said.

A leader on the field and in the classroom, Teel was co-captain of the indoor team for the past two years.

Teel finished second in the pole vault in sectionals during the indoor season and jumped a personal record of 8 feet 6 inches earlier this year.

She also was named Field Most Valuable Player during the indoor track season and looks forward to the start of the outdoor season soon, providing weather and field conditions cooperate.